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Import Requirements for Sheep and

Goats From Canada into the United

States

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APHIS regulates the importation of all ruminants and their germplasm

(embryos/oocytes, semen, cloning tissue) to prevent the spread of animal diseases.
Ruminants include all animals that chew the cud, such as cattle, buffaloes, sheep,

goats, deer, antelopes, camels, llamas, and giraffes.

Live Sheep and Goats

Protocol U.S.-origin sheep and goat movements (58.18 KB) through Canada

from one U.S. location to a second U.S. location

Protocol Transit of Swine, Sheep and Goats From Canada to Mexico by Land

Through the United States (184.31 KB)

Import Requirements

Live Breeding Sheep and Goats From Canada

1. Eligibility for Import

Live breeding sheep and goats may only be imported to the United States

from Canada under the following conditions:

Either: The Canadian herd of origin must be of Certified Plus Status

in the Canadian Scrapie Flock Certification Program;

Or: If importing based on genotype, the imported animal must be a

male sheep (ram) of genotype 136AA/171 RR or 136AA/171QR;

Or: The import has been approved by APHIS on a case-by-case basis

(female sheep of genotype 136AA/171RR or male sheep of genotype

136AA/171KR or 136AA/171HR). Please contact APHIS for more

information.

2. Import Permit

An import permit is required. The application, VS Form 17-129,

“Application for Import or in Transit Permit” may be obtained by

emailing laipermits@usda.gov, by downloading it from the APHIS web site,

or file electronically using the eFile system. Please allow 7–10 business

days for permit processing.

When applying for an import permit, the following information must be

provided:

The flock identification number of the destination flock/premises

The premises identification number of the destination flock/premises as

listed in the Scrapie National Database.
Flock owners should call 866-USDA-TAG to obtain a premise/flock ID,

if they do not already have one.

If applicable, documentation demonstrating that the animal(s) for import

have reached and maintained Certified Plus status in the Canadian Scrapie

Flock Certification Program. The documentation must specify the address,

or other means of identification, of the premises and flock of origin.

If applying for import of a male sheep (ram) based on genotype, provide

laboratory reports showing the animal is determined to be codon 136AA

171RR or 136AA 171QR genotype. Genotype assessment must be

performed by the National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) or

another laboratory approved by the USDA. Sampling must be performed

by an accredited veterinarian, and the official ID for each animal must be

listed on the laboratory report.

** As of 11/1/22, the list of laboratories USDA-approved to perform ovine

scrapie resistance genotype testing has been updated; some laboratories

have been removed from the approved list. The list should be checked

prior to submitting any samples: APHIS-Approved Laboratories. Testing

completed by Neogen GeneSeek (Lincoln, NE) prior to 11/14/22 will still be

accepted.**

If requesting import of an animal(s) not meeting the two categories above,

you must first contact APHIS to perform a case-by-case evaluation before

applying for an import permit.

*Separate import permit applications must be submitted for male and female sheep

being imported based on genotype.

3. Veterinary Export Health Certificate

A veterinary health certificate, issued by an authorized veterinarian in

Canada within 30 days of import and endorsed by a CFIA official

veterinarian is required.

4. Ports of Entry

If imported by land, the sheep and goats must be presented for entry at a

land border port listed in 9 CFR 93.403(b). The port veterinarian must be

contacted at least 10 business days prior to planned arrival. The port

veterinarian will request information to determine whether an on-vehicle
inspection of the animals is feasible, or if a destination inspection will need

to be arranged.

If imported by air, the sheep and goats must enter via one of the approved

airports for ruminants outlined in 9 CFR 93.403. The port veterinarian will

assess fitness to travel and review accompanying documentation, with the

entry inspection performed by USDA at the destination facility (with the

animals traveling under seal to their destination). The port must be

contacted at least 3 business days in advance of the proposed arrival date

to confirm coverage and availability.

5. Identification of sheep and goats

All imported sheep and goats must be officially identified with official

Canadian ear tag that will allow the animals to be traced to the farm or

premises of birth.

All imported sheep and goats must have a country mark applied: either a

“C” brand (not less than 1 inch high and can be applied to any haired area

on the animal that can be readily observed. Improperly applied brands or

hair brands or anything that does not result in a permanent mark is not

acceptable) or a “CΛN” tattoo applied to the inside of the left ear, or for

animals with insufficient ear space to the tail web region.

6. Certification and Testing requirements

Health certification requirements are noted on the CFIA export health

certificate, and will be outlined in the import permit. Required attestations

include:

Canada is free of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD), rinderpest, surra

and contagious pleuropneumonia.

The animals were born in the United States or Canada or were legally

imported into Canada and have been under no movement restrictions

within Canada or the United States for at least 60 days prior to

importation into the United States.

The sheep or goats were born after March 1, 1999, which is the date

determined by APHIS to be the effective enforcement of a ruminantto-ruminant feed ban.

Within the 60 days prior to export, the sheep or goats have not been

commingled with sheep or goats of a lower health status or resided

on the premises of a flock or herd of lower health status, including

after leaving the flock of residence and prior to arrival in the United

States.
If a female is implanted with an embryo it is indicated in the

description section on the identification of animals attachment and

the embryo has been certified by the CFIA as meeting United States

import conditions for embryos.

The health certificate shall indicate if any female sheep or goats

listed on the health certificate are of breeding age (other than female

lambs or kids accompanied by their mothers) and have been exposed

and potentially mated to a breeding age male prior to export. Female

sheep genotyped 136AA/171RR have only been exposed to rams

originating from a tuberculosis and brucellosis free province or

territory or a tuberculosis and brucellosis free herd and have never

resided in a flock that has had a confirmed case of classical scrapie

during their residency.

The sheep and goats were inspected for export within 30 days of

export and found free from infectious and contagious disease.

The sheep or goats have not been exposed to contagious or

infectious disease and have not commingled with sheep or goats of a

lower health status or resided on the premises of a flock or herd of

lower health status during the 60 days prior to export, and the

exporter has been directed to maintain this status during transport to

the United States.

Containers and conveyances used during the export process have

been cleaned and disinfected using a product approved by CFIA.

Testing:

Tuberculosis: within 30 days prior to export, goats must have a

negative caudal fold tuberculin test using M. bovis PPD tuberculin; the

test must be administered by an official veterinarian designated by

CFIA.

Brucella abortus: goats must have a negative test within 30 days

prior to export; acceptable testing methodologies include FPA, or

rose-bengal test/card test, or Complement Fixation, or I-ELISA or

Buffered Plate Antigen Agglutination test.

Sheep have continually resided since birth in a brucellosis and

tuberculosis free province or territory or in a brucellosis and

tuberculosis free herd.

Animals imported based on genotype must have the pre-export

genotype testing performed by the National Veterinary Services
Laboratory (NVSL) or another laboratory approved by the USDA; the

results must be indicated on the accompanying export health

certificate. Sampling must be performed by an accredited

veterinarian, and the official ID for each animal must be listed on the

laboratory report. The animal’s genotype must be verified within 30

days after entry into the U.S. Post-entry genotype testing for female

sheep must be performed by the National Veterinary Services

Laboratories (NVSL). Post-entry genotype testing for male sheep may

be performed by the NVSL or another laboratory that is USDA

approved to perform the testing. Samples must be collected and

submitted as required for official genotype tests in the U.S. 

** If submitting samples for genotype testing to a U.S. USDAapproved laboratory other than NVSL, you should confirm the

approved status of the laboratory prior to submitting the samples:

APHIS-Approved Laboratories. The laboratory re-approval process is

currently in progress, and laboratories will be removed from the

approved list if they do not successfully complete that process. **

7. Post-Entry and Additional Requirements

Post-entry requirements pertaining to animal traceback and recordkeeping

apply and will need to be met by the importer of record. These

requirements will be outlined in the import permit, and can also be found

in detail at Post-entry Requirements for Imported Live Breeding Sheep and

Goats from Canada.

Additional Requirements:

Importers are advised that individual states may have additional

import requirements. It is the importer's responsibility to verify these

conditions and to meet them. The importer should contact the U.S.

State veterinarian (State Regulations and Import Requirements) of

the destination State to determine these regulations.

8. Sheep or goats refused entry

If the sheep or goats are unaccompanied by the required certificate, or if they

are found upon inspection at the port of entry to be affected with a

communicable disease or to have been exposed thereto, they shall be refused

entry and shall be handled or quarantined, or otherwise disposed of as the

Administrator may direct.
Further, if it is determined prior to or after importation that any pre-entry or

post-entry requirements were not met, or the sheep or goats are affected with

or have been exposed to TSEs, the ruminants, their progeny, and any other

ruminants that have been housed with or exposed to the ruminants will be

disposed of or otherwise handled as directed by the Administrator.

Immediate Slaughter Sheep and Goats From Canada

1. Eligibility and Import Permit

Sheep and goats for immediate slaughter may be imported into the United

States with no permit required, as long as the following requirements are

met:

The animals must be accompanied by an official Canadian health

certificate. 

The sheep and goats must be presented for entry at a land border

port listed in 9 CFR 93.403(b).

The animals must be transported by land under seal directly from the

port of entry to an APHIS approved slaughtering establishment where

they will be slaughtered. The conveyances must be sealed with seals

of the U.S. Government at the port of entry. The seals may be broken

only at the recognized slaughtering establishment by an authorized

USDA representative.

In all other cases, an import permit will be required. The application,

VS Form 17-129, “Application for Import or in Transit Permit”

may be obtained by emailing laipermits@usda.gov, by downloading it

from the APHIS web site, or file electronically using the eFile system.

For slaughtering establishments to be able to receive Canadian sheep and

goats directly from the port of entry for immediate slaughter, the

slaughtering establishment must have prior approval by VS in accordance

with the USDA APHIS VS Guidance Document “Importation of Restricted

Animals from Canada and Mexico for Immediate Slaughter”. Immediate

Slaughter Facility Approved List.

The sheep or goats must be slaughtered within two weeks (14 days) of

entry into the U.S.

2. Identification Requirements

Each animal must be individually identified by an official Canadian ear tag

that will enable traceback to the flock of origin.
All tags must be clean and readable and preferably in the right ear to

expedite inspection at the port of entry.

Complete ear tag numbers must be recorded on the health

certificate.

3. Health Certification Requirements

An original and two copies of the official Canadian health certificate are

required for each vehicle.

The official health certificate must be issued by a veterinarian designated

or accredited by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and must be

endorsed by a full- time salaried veterinarian employed by CFIA. The

health certificate is valid for 30 days from the issue date.

Required health certifications are outlined on the official Canadian health

certificate and include the following:

Canada is free from foot-and-mouth disease, rinderpest, surra, and

contagious bovine pleuropneumonia.

The sheep or goats have been kept in Canada during the last 60 days

immediately preceding the date of shipment to the United States.

The sheep and goats are subject to a ruminant feed ban equivalent to

the requirements established by the U.S. Food and Drug

Administration (FDA).

The movement of the sheep or goats is not restricted within Canada

because of exposure to a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy.

The sheep or goats are not in quarantine in Canada or under any

movement restriction.

The sheep or goats are not in late gestation and are fit for travel.

The sheep, or goats have been inspected and found to be free from

any evidence of communicable disease and that, as far as can be

determined, they have not been exposed to any such disease during

the preceding 60 days.

4. Scrapie Certification Requirements

The region where the sheep or goats originated has not been recognized

as free of classical scrapie by APHIS, but the following criteria have been

met:

TSEs in sheep and goats are compulsorily notifiable to the national

veterinary authority of Canada;

An effective classical scrapie awareness, surveillance, monitoring and

control system is in place;
TSE-affected sheep and goats are killed and completely destroyed;

The sheep and goats selected for export showed no clinical signs of

scrapie on the day of shipment and are fit for travel;

The sheep and goats have not tested positive for, and are not suspect

for, a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy; and

The animals’ movement is not restricted within Canada due to animal

health reasons.

5. Testing Requirements

No tests are required for sheep and goats imported for immediate

slaughter.

6. Port of Entry

Sheep or goats must enter through an approved port of entry listed in 9

CFR 93.403(b) and be inspected at the port of entry.

The VS port VMO will issue a VS Form 17-30 “Report of Animals, Poultry, or

Eggs Offered for Importation” and VS Form 17- 33 “Animals Imported for

Immediate Slaughter”.

In the event that the shipment does not comply with protocol

requirements, the port veterinarian will document the number of sheep or

goats in the shipments that are rejected. The port veterinarian will also

contact the appropriate officials with CBP and CFIA port authorities to

inform them of the refusal of the shipment.

Sheep and Goats for Restricted Feeding for Slaughter From Canada

Requirements for Canadian Sheep and Goats Imported for Restricted

Feeding for Slaughter

1. Live sheep and goats intended for restricted feeding for slaughter are

eligible for import into the United States if all requirements outlined below are

met.

2. Approved Designated Feedlot requirements:

For approval, the feedlot owner should contact State Animal Health

Officials for the initial review, and the APHIS VS District Office to schedule

an inspection and obtain additional information.

A written Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) must be signed by the

feedlot operator and USDA APHIS.

Canadian sheep and goats imported for restricted feeding for slaughter

may only be moved from the designated feedlot to a specified APHIS
Approved Immediate Slaughter Facility.

3. Import Permit

1. An import permit is required. The application, VS Form 17-129,

“Application for Import or in Transit Permit” may be completed and

filed electronically using the eFile system.  Or the VS 17-129 (73.07 KB)

form may be completed and emailed to laipermits@usda.gov for

processing. Please allow at least 7 business days for permit

processing.

2. When applying for an import permit, the following information must be

provided:

Approved designated feedlot (name, address) where animals will

reside until they are moved to slaughter.

Premises or location ID number of the designated feedlot assigned in

the APHIS National Scrapie Database and when applicable, the flock

identification number.

A written contingency plan to deal with potential emergencies en

route is required before the permit is issued, to include emergency

contact number(s) for the importer or their representative, veterinary

contacts along the route who may provide assistance for health and

safety issues involving the animals, and documented source(s) of

water.

4. A Veterinary Export Health Certificate issued by an authorized veterinarian

in Canada within 30 days of import and endorsed by a CFIA official veterinarian

is required. Required certification attestations will be outlined in the import

permit and the Canadian health certificate.

5. Ports of Entry

The sheep and goats must move through a port of entry allowed for

ruminants in a transport conveyance sealed at the export premise with

official seals of Canada.

The sheep and goats must be moved directly as a group from the port of

entry to the designated feedlot as listed on the permit. On arrival, the

official seals on the transport will be removed by APHIS personnel or an

authorized APHIS representative, and the animals unloaded for inspection.

6. Identification of Imported Sheep and Goats

1. All animals must be identified with official Canadian ID (ear tag) allowing

the animals to be traced at any time to the flock of residence.  Complete

primary and any secondary ear tag numbers must be recorded on the
health certificate.

2. All imported sheep and goats must be identified with a permanent country

mark unless otherwise stipulated in the formal MOU between the

designated feedlot and APHIS.

The imported animals must have either a legible “CᴧN” tattoo located

inside the left ear (or the tail web for animals with insufficient ear

space), or a “C” brand.

The “C” brand must be not less than 1 inch high and can be applied

to any haired area on the animal that can be readily observed.

Improperly applied brands or hair brands or anything that does not

result in a permanent mark is not acceptable.

This area must be shaved prior to export so the ID may be clearly

visible.

7. Post-Entry and Additional Requirements

Post-Entry requirements pertaining to the approved designated feedlot

and restricted movement of the imported animals will apply as outlined in

9 CFR 93.435(c)(11) and will be stipulated in the MOU.

Individual states (contact State Animal Health Officials) may have

additional import requirements. It is the importer's responsibility to verify

these conditions and to meet them.

8. Sheep or goats refused entry

If the sheep or goats are not presented with the required certificate, or if

they are rejected at the port of entry after evaluation by APHIS officials,

they will be refused entry.

After importation, if any pre-entry or post-entry requirements are not met,

or the sheep or goats are found to be affected with or exposed to TSEs

(Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies such as scrapie), these

animals, their progeny, and any others exposed to these sheep or goats

will be disposed of or otherwise handled as directed by the Administrator.

Sheep and Goat Semen

1. Importers or their designated agents must provide documentation of the

destination facility premise registration premises ID assigned and recorded in

the Surveillance Collaborative System/Scrapie (SCS SCR) with the permit

application.
2. A verification certificate required to import sheep or goat semen from Canada

(200.86 KB). This must be submitted with the import permit application.

3. There are also post-import requirements (136.38 KB) for each facility using this

commodity.

Sheep and Goat Embryos

Sheep and goat embryos cannot currently be imported from Canada.

What You Need To Know

U.S. transits are classified as shipments presented to a U.S. port of entry for

conveyance purposes to then be transported to a destination country shortly

after. Notice Regarding APHIS Live Animal Import and Third-Country Import

Transit Permits (272.29 KB).

Please note that any animals and their germplasm transiting the United States

must not transit countries with questionable disease statuses prior to reaching

a U.S. port of entry.

All transits require a contingency plan. Please submit your contingency plan

with your permit application (VS 17-129 (106.94 KB)) to laipermits@usda.gov.

To submit an import permit electronically, visit APHIS eFile.

If you are applying to import live animals, semen, and embryos, you may submit

applications by email to laipermits@usda.gov

Contact Us

Live Animal Imports

For questions about import permits or permit applications:

Live Animal Import Permit Team

Email: laipermits@usda.gov
Phone: 301-851-3000

For general questions related to the import of a live animal:

Live Animal Import and Export

Email: laie@usda.gov

Phone: 301-851-3300

All Contacts